Most of this phase is tied to phase 4. If you opt out of phase 4 and don't produce a new event, then you don't have to ditch an asset. I guess the only thing you would have to do then is discard an asset and the 1st place player has to let the last place player select another token. You could opt out of getting the podium and accepting the token if you were in last place.

That is correct - if you opt out of phase 4 (didn't produce a program), you don't have to discard an asset token in phase 5.

And obviously if you happen to be in 1st place (via opting out of phase #4 that turn...highly unlikely), I still think you would get the podium, since the highest produce at the end of that turn still gets it.

I guess you "could" decline getting the podium (but why?)..but I don't think you can decline the other aspect of being first, of having to give an asset token to the last place person - UNLESS the last place person ALSO declines as well...again, very doubtful since getting tokens (as well as removing 2 tokens - one via discard and one by being 1st - does hurt the 1st place person of having 2 less tokens)